Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House

Two San Antonio veterans of the Vietnam War were awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014. President Obama awarded the Medals of Honor to 24 ethnic or minority U.S. soldiers who performed acts of bravery under fire in three of the nation's wars, that were denied because of prejudice.

By Compiled by Merrisa Brown, mySA.com

on March 18, 2014 9:11 PM

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Two San Antonio veterans of the Vietnam War received the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Jose Rodela and Santiago Erevia were among two-dozen war veterans awarded the medal, the nation's highest award for valor, and just three who are still living. Read more about Rodela and Erevia.

PHOTO: Medal of Honor recipients Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris (from left), Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela and Spc. Four Santiago Erevia stand after being awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 18, 2014. less

Two San Antonio veterans of the Vietnam War received the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Jose Rodela and Santiago Erevia were among ... more

Photo: SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

Two San Antonio veterans of the Vietnam War received the Medal of... Photo-6039116.82225 - NewsTimes

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President Barack Obama arrives for a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 18, 2014. Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to 24 veterans, 3 of whom are still living, who fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, most of whom were previously denied the prestigious honor due to their Hispanic, black or Jewish backgrounds. The ceremony results from a Pentagon review of Jewish and Hispanic war records ordered by Congress in 2002. less

President Barack Obama arrives for a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 18, 2014. Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to 24 veterans, 3 of whom are still living, who ... more

Photo: SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

President Barack Obama arrives for a Medal of Honor ceremony in the... Photo-6039115.82225 - NewsTimes

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President Barack Obama greets U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia, a Vietnam War veteran, in the Oval office before presenting him with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in the White House on March 18, 2014 in Washington. less

President Barack Obama greets U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia, a Vietnam War veteran, in the Oval office before presenting him with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in the White House on ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty Images

President Barack Obama greets U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.)... Photo-6039198.82225 - NewsTimes

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President Barack Obama shakes hands with U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia, a Vietnam War veteran, in the Oval office as his family looks on before presenting him with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in the White House on March 18, 2014 in Washington. less

President Barack Obama shakes hands with U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia, a Vietnam War veteran, in the Oval office as his family looks on before presenting him with the Medal of Honor at a ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty Images

President Barack Obama shakes hands with U.S. Army Specialist Four... Photo-6039188.82225 - NewsTimes

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President Barack Obama speaks with U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia, a Vietnam War veteran, in the Oval office before presenting him with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in the White House on March 18, 2014 in Washington. less

President Barack Obama speaks with U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia, a Vietnam War veteran, in the Oval office before presenting him with the Medal of Honor at a ceremony in the White House ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty Images

President Barack Obama speaks with U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.)... Photo-6039189.82225 - NewsTimes

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Spc. Santiago J. Erevia is greeted by President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington.

Spc. Santiago J. Erevia is greeted by President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington.

Spc. Santiago J. Erevia stands with President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington. less

Spc. Santiago J. Erevia stands with President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in ... more

Sgt. First Class Jose Rodela is greeted by President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor by during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington.

Sgt. First Class Jose Rodela is greeted by President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor by during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington.

President Barack Obama looks at Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, awarding Sgt. Rodela and 23 other Army soldiers, the Medal of Honor. Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to 24 ethnic or minority U.S. soldiers who performed acts of bravery under fire in three of the nation's wars, that were denied because of prejudice. less

President Barack Obama looks at Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, awarding Sgt. Rodela and 23 other Army soldiers, ... more

Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris (left) stands with President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington.

Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris (left) stands with President Barack Obama before being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington.

From left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. First Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia are applauded by President Barack Obama, right, after being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington. less

From left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. First Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia are applauded by President Barack Obama, right, after being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the ... more

From left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. First Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia are applauded by President Barack Obama, right, after being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in Washington. less

From left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. First Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia are applauded by President Barack Obama, right, after being awarded the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the ... more

President Barack Obama, right, applauds during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, honoring Army Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, from left, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela and Army Spc. Santiago Erevia, with the Medal of Honor together with 21 other ethnic or minority U.S. soldiers who performed acts of bravery under fire in three of the nation's wars, that were denied because of prejudice. less

President Barack Obama, right, applauds during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014, honoring Army Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, from left, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose ... more

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press

President Barack Obama, right, applauds during a ceremony in the... Photo-6039140.82225 - NewsTimes

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President Barack Obama applauds, from left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia after he awarded them with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 18, 2014. less

President Barack Obama applauds, from left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia after he awarded them with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of ... more

Vietnam War veterans (from left) U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris, Army Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Jose Rodela and Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago Erevia are presented after receiving the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House on March 18, 2014 in Washington. less

Vietnam War veterans (from left) U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris, Army Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Jose Rodela and Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago Erevia are presented after receiving the Medal ... more

Dr. Terry Schwab (left) congratulates Vietnam veterans and Medal of Honor recipients U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris (C) and Army Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Jose Rodela in the East Room of the White House on March 18, 2014 in Washington, DC. Schwab accepted the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father, World War II veteran 1st Lt. Donald K. Schwab. Morris, Rodela and Army Spc. 4 (Ret.) Santiago Erevia were joined by the families of 21 others who were presented posthumously with the Medal of Honor. Following a congressionally mandated review to ensure that eligible recipients were not bypassed due to prejudice the veterans received the Medal of Honor for action during major combat operations in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. less

Dr. Terry Schwab (left) congratulates Vietnam veterans and Medal of Honor recipients U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris (C) and Army Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Jose Rodela in the East Room of the White House ... more

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris (left), a Vietnam War veteran, is saluted by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Schneider, from U.S. Army Old Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, after a ceremony presenting Morris with the Medal of Honor in the White House on March 18, 2014 in Washington. less

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris (left), a Vietnam War veteran, is saluted by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Schneider, from U.S. Army Old Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, after a ceremony ... more